Fullerton, Calif.-- Despite battling back late, Arizona State softball dropped a heartbreaker to No. 22 Baylor, 4-2, on the second day of play at the 2017 Judi Garman Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton at the Anderson Family Field.
Baylor's Gia Rondi threw just over five innings, allowing a pair of hits, en rout to her fifth win of the season. Junior Breanna Macha suffered the loss in Friday's contest, pushing her overall record to 4-3 on the season.
The Sun Devils (13-5) struggled early, allowing a pair of runs on four hits in the first half inning, bringing the ASU offense to the plate trailing No. 22 Baylor, 2-0.
The Bears would add another run in the second, and one more in the fourth, to carry a 4-0 lead into the final three innings of play.
With neither team able to plate a run in either the fifth or sixth inning, the Sun Devils began their late-game rally with one out in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore Brynley Steele drew a four pitch walk, before advancing to second in the preceding at-bat on a passed ball.
Senior Sashel Palacios brought in the Sun Devils' first run on an RBI single that settled in centerfield, plating Steele from second. Freshman Emma Ramelot kept the rally going for ASU, with a single to left that left runners on the corners with just one away for fellow freshman Brianna Wise.
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The Camarillo, Calif. native made it a two-run game with a sacrifice fly to right that brought in Nichole Chilson, who entered the game to pinch run for Palacios earlier in the inning.
Unfortunately, the would be comeback was halted there, as Baylor's Kelsee Selman delivered a two out groundout to end the game.
The Sun Devils will be back in action on Saturday for a pair of games to close out their weekend in Fullerton. ASU is scheduled to begin the Saturday doubleheader with a 3 p.m. tilt against South Carolina, before ending the day with a 5:30 p.m. matchup against Iowa. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2017 ASU softball season by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.
Baylor's Gia Rondi threw just over five innings, allowing a pair of hits, en rout to her fifth win of the season. Junior Breanna Macha suffered the loss in Friday's contest, pushing her overall record to 4-3 on the season.
The Sun Devils (13-5) struggled early, allowing a pair of runs on four hits in the first half inning, bringing the ASU offense to the plate trailing No. 22 Baylor, 2-0.
The Bears would add another run in the second, and one more in the fourth, to carry a 4-0 lead into the final three innings of play.
With neither team able to plate a run in either the fifth or sixth inning, the Sun Devils began their late-game rally with one out in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore Brynley Steele drew a four pitch walk, before advancing to second in the preceding at-bat on a passed ball.
Senior Sashel Palacios brought in the Sun Devils' first run on an RBI single that settled in centerfield, plating Steele from second. Freshman Emma Ramelot kept the rally going for ASU, with a single to left that left runners on the corners with just one away for fellow freshman Brianna Wise.
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The Camarillo, Calif. native made it a two-run game with a sacrifice fly to right that brought in Nichole Chilson, who entered the game to pinch run for Palacios earlier in the inning.
Unfortunately, the would be comeback was halted there, as Baylor's Kelsee Selman delivered a two out groundout to end the game.
The Sun Devils will be back in action on Saturday for a pair of games to close out their weekend in Fullerton. ASU is scheduled to begin the Saturday doubleheader with a 3 p.m. tilt against South Carolina, before ending the day with a 5:30 p.m. matchup against Iowa. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2017 ASU softball season by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.